Old audio tapes of conversations between a Manson family devotee and his lawyer could shed new light on 12 unsolved murders from the 1960s, detectives in Los Angeles believe.

The 12 unsolved killings police are looking into had "similar circumstances, the same time period" as those committed by Manson's followers, Los Angeles police spokesman Commander Andrew Smith said.

"We think there's a chance that they may be related to the Manson Family," he added.

Manson was a charismatic ex-convict when he brought together the so-called Manson Family cult, a collection of runaways and outcasts who committed a spree of at least nine killings in 1969. He urged his mostly young, female followers to murder in what prosecutors said was part of a twisted plan to incite a race war between whites and blacks, and became one of the 20th century's most infamous criminals

The revelations about the number of unsolved cases investigators are pursuing comes amid a legal battle between the Los Angeles Police Department and an attorney for Manson follower Charles "Tex" Watson, who is serving a life prison sentence in California.

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Los Angeles police, who have gone to court seeking to obtain eight hours of recorded discussions between Watson and his late attorney Bill Boyd, have disclosed few details on the cold cases. The names of victims or dates of the killings have not been made public.

The tapes, made more than 40 years ago, have resurfaced as a part of a bankruptcy case involving Boyd's now-defunct Texas law firm. In May, US Bankruptcy Judge Brenda Rhoades in Texas granted the request for the tapes, but an appeal is pending.

"We're just trying to obtain these tapes to see if they will shed light on these and other cases," Smith said.

Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck had said in a March letter to a US Department of Justice trustee that the Los Angeles Police Department "has information that Mr Watson discussed additional unsolved murders committed by followers of Charles Manson."